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Plant Based Products Council Applauds Senate Introduction of the Ag BIO Act
July 31, 2025
Washington, D.C. — The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) welcomes the bipartisan Senate introduction of the Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity (Ag BIO) Act, a major step toward accelerating the growth of the U.S. bioeconomy and strengthening rural America. The legislation is led by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), long-standing champions of agricultural innovation and biomanufacturing.
“The Ag BIO Act represents a strategic investment that will be necessary if American manufacturing is going to lead the world in the production of plant-based materials,” said James Glueck, Executive Director of PBPC. “This bill provides a clear pathway to scale up biomanufacturing capacity, open new markets for farmers, and build more resilient domestic supply chains.”
The legislation builds on the USDA’s Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, expanding its reach and impact through the creation of a cost-share grant program to support the construction and retrofitting of pilot and demonstration-scale biorefineries. These facilities are critical for validating the commercial potential of converting renewable biomass into biobased products and renewable chemicals.
The bill also improves program accessibility by simplifying eligibility requirements, clarifying loan guarantee provisions, and expanding the range of eligible outputs to include high-value biobased products and ultra-low carbon technologies. These changes will help unlock private sector investment and support innovation in U.S. agriculture, as called for by the recent report from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology.
“The Ag BIO Act is more than a piece of legislation — it’s a much-needed tool for revitalizing rural economies and advancing a modern manufacturing strategy grounded in American agriculture,” Glueck added. “We are grateful to Sens. Klobuchar and Moran for their leadership and vision.”
The bill is a companion measure to legislation introduced in May by Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Nikki Budzinski (D-IL).
PBPC looks forward to working alongside lawmakers, stakeholders, and its member companies to advance the Ag BIO Act and secure its inclusion in the upcoming Farm Bill.
For more information on PBPC’s Farm Bill priorities, visit PBPC.com.
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About the Plant Based Products Council
The Plant Based Products Council is an association of companies and organizations working to guide the global economy toward more sustainable and responsible consumer products and packaging through greater use of renewable, plant-based materials. PBPC advocates for policy, research, and innovation that foster a circular bioeconomy. Learn more at www.pbpc.com.